Instructor Class Description

Japanese Government and Politics

Government and politics of Japan with emphasis on the period since 1945. Recommended: JSIS A 242. Offered: jointly with JSIS A 435.

Class description

Students will leave this course with a thorough understanding of Japanese politics. This course covers the major aspects of Japanís international relations and particularly domestic politics. This is designed to be the one main general course on Japanese politics for UW undergraduates. We cover party politics, making sense of the incredible drama of the 2005 Koizumi landslide and the historic 2009 victory by the Democratic Party of Japan, but also investigate Japanís response to financial crisis and natural disasters. The course provides historical background to a degree, and also puts Japan into theoretical context in comparative politics. At least one prior course on Japan (e.g. SISEA 242) or comparative politics (e.g. POL S 204) is recommended.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

This is a lecture course.

Recommended preparation

For JSIS students, SISEA 242 is the best single course preparation for this course. POL S students are recommended to have completed coursework in comparative politics (e.g. POL S 204).

Class assignments and grading

In class exams and quizzes. There will be a final exam.

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Robert J. Pekkanen
Date: 02/08/2012

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Modified:April 23, 2014